A boisterous night of pub-hopping once again led to much needed funds for the Santas Anonymous Society North Okanagan, but more donations are still needed.
The society held its annual pub crawl fundraiser on Dec. 6. The fundraiser saw the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band make its way to 12 pubs in Vernon along with volunteer members of the Santas Anonymous Society, who collected donations from pub patrons while the pipers played a few tunes.
This year, the pub crawl raised more than $2,100 for Santas Anonymous. Perry Wainwright, president of the society, said that's about the same amount of funds that was generated at last year's pub crawl.
Funds raised for Santas Anonymous go towards new gifts for kids in need this Christmas, and also help the society pay for rent and utilities.
Wainwright said more toys are needed for the 0-12 age group, and the society is running even lower on gifts for the older age group.
Santas Anonymous is happy to be partnering with the Salvation Army for the first time this year.
"They've been great with us," Wainwright said. "They've provided us with some of their new toys, they've donated a bunch of bikes, and some of the volunteers have come from them too."
But the Santas Anonymous society has also been a little swamped trying to meet a high demand for their services.
"This year (the demand) has increased," Wainwright said. "We're open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. until about 2 p.m., and it's just solid people coming in all the time."
Toys are being collected from now until Christmas. There are 32 locations around town with toy collection boxes, including The Morning Star, which will have its collection box available until the end of the day on Dec. 23. A list of toy collection barrels in Vernon can be found at . Toy donations can also be dropped off at the Santas Anonymous office at 4320 29th St.
Anyone who would like to apply for help with toys this Christmas can contact the North Okanagan Santas Anonymous Society at 250-542-4448, or Wainwright at 250-308-1411. All that's needed is the child's care card. The same numbers can be called for those who would like to make a donation.
Wainwright extended thanks to everyone who has supported the toy campaign so far this year, from the businesses that have displayed toy barrels to the individuals who have provided donations.